Kathmandu, March 30:

The water level in the Kulekhani reservoir, the country’s only water storage facility for peak hour electricity generation, has risen by about three centimetres after yesterday’s rain.

Sher Singh Bhat, chief, Load Despatch Division, Nepal Electricity Authority, said the increase in the water volume in the reservoir, however, will not give any significant relief to the countrymen tolerating power outage of up to 20 hours a day.

In the past 24 hours, Kathmandu recorded 19 mm of rainfall, highest so far since winter. Thundershowers accompanied by hailstones occurred yesterday night and this evening, giving respite to the valley denizens from long dry spell and the prevalent hazy

atmosphere. Weather forecast division at Tribhuvan International Airport predicted the possibility of Kathmandu having cloudy sky and receiving isolated thundershowers tonight. Thundershowers are also likely tomorrow afternoon.

Meanwhile, continuous snowfall for the past one week has affected normal life in the northern parts of Taplejung district. The incessant snowfall has confined people to their homes and destroyed potato and barley crops. “The snowfall has made life difficult for us, as we don’t have firewood to warm ourselves. The snowfall has affected children and the elderly persons the most,” Pasang Phuri Sherpa of Yangma said.

Phurba Sherpa of Phalegaon said, “It is difficult to transport foodstuff, as the trails are covered by snow and the yaks are also suffering from cold,” he said, adding, “The locals of Phalegaon could not come out of their houses due to the snowfall for the past five days.”

Another local, Phursing Sherpa, said the snowfall had destroyed potato and barley crops. “Villagers are worried as the snowfall has damaged agriculture produce in the area,” he added. The snowfall has also led to the closure of schools in the areas. Schools in northern parts of the district, including Ghunsa, Phale, Yangma and Olangchunggola have been closed, the locals said.

Meanwhile, snowfall and hailstorm for the past two days have affected normal life in Lamjung district. Over a dozen VDCs in the district, including Ghanpokhara, Bhujung, Pasgaon and Khudi, have been affected, locals said.

“The hailstones also damaged crops in lower areas of the district, including, Bhoteodar, Sundarbazaar, Tarku and Parebadanda,” Parmeshwor Adhikari of Sundarbazaar, said.